CDF Munir to visit Tehran today as Pakistan seeks to revive US-Iran dialogue

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir is due to visit Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iranian officials, as Islamabad continues efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States, Reuters reported, citing a Pakistani official and Iranian media.

Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Munir would meet Iranian officials to discuss bilateral cooperation, regional developments and Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington.

There was no confirmation of the visit from Pakistan’s side.

The trip comes amid persistent regional tensions and stalled efforts to resume US-Iran negotiations. The two countries have been in conflict since February, with hostilities continuing around the Strait of Hormuz despite earlier attempts to secure a lasting settlement.

Pakistan continues mediation efforts

Pakistan has played a key mediating role between Iran and the US this year, with Munir and senior civilian leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, engaging with Iranian leadership in efforts to broker a lasting peace.

According to Tasnim, the military chief’s visit is also expected to cover measures to strengthen bilateral ties between Islamabad and Tehran.

Munir’s planned visit follows earlier talks with Iranian leaders, which focused on preventing further escalation, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and expediting an end to the conflict.

Both sides reached an interim peace deal in June, brokered by Pakistan, but the agreement collapsed weeks later in July. Hostilities in and around the Strait of Hormuz have continued since then, while efforts to restart negotiations remain stalled.

The latest diplomatic push comes as tensions across the Middle East persist, including attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi infrastructure.

Saudi investment conference postponed

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has postponed a major international investment conference until 2027 amid repeated Houthi attacks on the kingdom, the event’s chief executive said on Monday.

The annual Future Investment Initiative (FII), often dubbed “Davos in the Desert”, had been scheduled for October 26-29.

In a statement posted on X, FII Institute CEO Maha Al Saud said organisers wanted the anniversary edition to deliver the full scale and quality expected by participants. She said new dates would be announced soon and that existing registrations and partnerships would remain valid.

Three sources familiar with the matter had earlier told AFP that the conference would be postponed. One source said a new date would not be announced soon, while another questioned the willingness of international participants to travel to Riyadh amid the security situation.

The decision follows continued attacks on Saudi Arabia and disruption to air travel. Riyadh’s international airport suspended operations earlier this month after an October 10 strike that killed 13 people, according to the supplied report. The attack was described as the deadliest on the kingdom in more than a decade.

Saudi Arabia had previously considered proceeding with the conference through a combination of in-person and virtual attendance, alongside alternative air and land travel routes. However, that plan appears to have been abandoned amid growing Western travel warnings and the airport’s continued closure.

The developments add to regional uncertainty as Pakistan pursues diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the US.

Pakistan signed a bilateral defence pact with Saudi Arabia in September 2025 and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in August, according to the supplied material. Islamabad has pledged to defend the kingdom if attacks continue.